Puducherry Shuts Down as INDI Alliance Protests Against Electricity Hike

Puducherry's Directorate of School Education announced a holiday for classes 1 to 8 of government and private schools. INDI alliance protests against electricity tariff hikes, causing a complete blockade from 6 am to 6 pm. Shops, buses, autos, and daytime theater shows are all affected.

Puducherry Directorate of School Education's Higher Secondary Wing has declared a holiday for classes 1 to 8 in government and private schools on Wednesday. Classes for standards 9 to 12 will continue as usual, the notice stated.

The decision follows an announcement by the INDI alliance against the ruling BJP-NR Congress coalition government. The alliance is demanding the cancellation of recent hikes in electricity tariffs in the region and is staging a complete blockade from 6 am to 6 pm.

Earlier, the ruling NR Congress party had demanded the cancellation of the electricity tariff increase, abolishing of surcharges, a halt to the privatization of the electricity sector, and the abandonment of the digital electricity meter project. During the blockade, government and private buses, as well as autos, will not be operational, and heavy police security is expected.

Shops in rural areas including Kuber Angadi, Nehru Road, Anna Road, Karamalaiyadigal Road, and Kamaraj Road have been closed. All daytime shows in theatres are also cancelled. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc is continuing its protest against the electricity hikes in areas like Thiramalaiadigal Road, Kamaraj Statue Junction, Indira Gandhi Square, and Rajiv Gandhi Square.

The power tariff for households has increased from 40 paise to 75 paise per unit, causing widespread discontent. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)